IMO 2026 Problem 3
- Day 1
- Combinatorics
- Answer
Let be a positive integer. Liu Bang and Xiang Yu have a stick of length and want to divide it between themselves. Liu marks at most points on the stick, and then Xiang marks at most points on the stick. The marked points are distinct. Then, the stick is cut at all marked points, creating a number of pieces. Afterwards, they take turns claiming any unclaimed piece of the stick, with Liu going first. Each player's goal is to maximise the total length of their own pieces.
For each , determine the largest value such that Liu may guarantee a total length of at least , regardless of Xiang's play.
Official text IMO 2026 official English paper, page 1. Quoted with source.
Solutions
No solution is on olymmath yet. Official and human solutions come first when they arrive. AI solutions come after them, with a label.